About
I’m an experienced Systemic and Creative Arts Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher and Clinical Supervisor based in south London. I offer services to people seeking effective professional help with their mental health, relationships and well-being.
Approach
As a systemic psychotherapist, I use different techniques and processes to understand my clients holistically and the different factors contributing to their way of being in life. As a qualified drama and movement therapist, I use a range of verbal, creative and somatic therapeutic approaches which tend to offer greater insight than talking therapies alone. I aim to introduce a sense of play to therapy sessions, which can be very healing for relationships and individuals, and also incorporate yoga which helps calm the nervous system and bring a sense of peace and connection to client/s.
Experience
I have nearly 40 years’ experience working in the field of mental health with adults, children, adolescents and their families and carers. I have worked in both general and specialist psychiatric hospitals, as well as in community adult mental health services, nurseries, schools, colleges, pupil referral units, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and YOS (Youth Offending Services).
When I turned 60, I travelled to India to complete a yoga training course and now include therapeutic yoga as part of my offer. Having had years of therapy myself, I also have a deep understanding of trauma, how it affects us and how beneficial psychotherapy can be.
Qualifications
As well as being a fully qualified family and systemic psychotherapist, I am a qualified drama and movement therapist and 200-hour certified yoga teacher. I am trained as both a psychiatric and general nurse and hold an advanced certificate in creative arts supervision.
Professional Affiliations
To ensure my practice adheres to the highest possible standards, I work under regular supervision and am a member of a number of professional bodies:
I am registered as a family and systemic psychotherapist with both the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and AFT (Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice).
I am a member of ISPS (the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis).
I am registered as a drama therapist with HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) and belong to BADth (the British Association of Drama Therapists).
In terms of supervision, I am a member of both the CAST Supervisor Forum and the Supervisor London Forum.
Areas of Specialism:
Adult Mental Health: low mood, anxiety, depression, trauma, difficulties with family and/or work relationships, breakdown, psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, attachment difficulties, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease.
Maternity: post-natal and anti-natal depression, puerperal psychosis.
Couples: relationship and communication difficulties, lack of intimacy and sexual difficulties, trust issues, separation and divorce, trauma histories, mental health diagnosis.
Children: behavioural difficulties, feeding difficulties, sleep issues, toileting problems, biting, hitting, temper tantrums.
Adolescents: low mood, anxiety, school difficulties, trauma experiences.
Learning Difficulties: ASD diagnosis, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, ODD and conduct disorder.
Gender and Sexuality: difficulty managing issues related to being LGBTQ+.
Violence: children or adults who have experienced violence.
Sexual Abuse: children or adults who have experienced sexual abuse.
Bereavement and Loss: loss of a child, including miscarriage and termination. Significant adult, through accident, illness or suicide, as well as divorce and being made redundant.
Physical Health Issues: mobility issues, chronic fatigue, arthritis, fibromyalgia, brain injury, speech/ hearing problems, ME, MS, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, heart conditions and other organ malfunction.
Therapy Supervision: supervision of therapists using talking and the creative arts.